Divided last



'March 11 1924' 1,486,511

G. E. BELCHER DIVIDED LAST Filed July 27, 1922 ii) in in it.

GEGRGrE E. BELCHER, OF ORLEANS, IJL XSSAGHUSE'ETS.

ZDKVIDE-D LAST.

Application filed Italy 27, 1922.

To all whom it may concern.

Be it known that if Grocer E. Bunches a citizen of the United States, rsiding at Urleans, county of Barnstable, Commonwealth oflidassachusetts, have invented certain new and useful Improvements inDivided Lasts, of which the following is a specification.

This invenution involves certain improvements in divided lasts andparticularly in such lasts of the knuckle joint type in which an etended bearing surface is pres ent in the joint.

Lasts of this type have usually been equipped with a connecting springeffective across the joint and exerting major stress longitudinally whenlast was in extended position so as to support it against collapse whenin the shoe and under operation.

In my improved last- I may employ a spring which is effective radiallyof the con ter of the joint and still seems stiff last in extendedposition. This 1 accomplish by in roducing cooperating or resilientlyinterengaging members between the last parts in the region of theircontinuous contact at the joint.

Such a construction is shown in the accompanying drawings and describedin this specification, throughout both of which corresponding referencecharacters are em ployed to indicate the parts.

In the drawings:

Fig. 1 is a view of a last in accordance with my invention in extendedposition.

Fig. 2 is a similar view in collapsed posi tion,

Figs. 3 and 4t are details of the interlocking members, and Fig. 5 is apressure plan view of the last.

My last comprises the usual fore part A and heel part B having a centralfulcrum or joint of extended bearing surfaces as G and D.

The parts A and B may be connected together in various ways butpreferably as shown. I employ the curved link L which has manyadvantages in simplicity and strength.

The link L is preferably pivoted at one end on a pin E positioned at thecenter of the curved surface C. At its opposite end it is connected tothe heel part B by a pin i which is preferably set with. a taper soSerial No. 57?,914.

as to give the link L a proper tension. The two parts of the last aretherefore tightly held together and turn with the desired friction.Between the surfaces C and D and specifically between such portions ofthem as are constantly overlapped l introduce a pair of interengagingmembers. One of these is set in a recess or bore and consists of arounded or hemispherical head G having a shank 5 extending centrally ofthe bore and surrounded by a coiled compres sion spring S which bearsagainst the bottom of he bore and the under face of the head tending toproject the same beyond the surface C.

Aligned with this bore and the head G is a cylindrical or tubular pocketl-l driven into a corresponding recess. The pocket H is of a diameterslightly smaller than the head G so as to partially but not whollyreceive it under the urge of the spring S.

When the parts are alined as shown in Fig. 1 the head G partially entersthe end of the tubular pocket H thus locking the last in extendedposition in which it is firmly resistant to normal strains. When it isdesired to collapse the last to the position shown in Fig. 2 it isreadily buckled by excess pressure applied diagonally to the heel part.The last so formed is simple and inexpensive to make and assemble andsimple and durable in operation.

Various modifications in the form and construction of my device mayobviously be resorted to without departing from the spirit of myinvention if within the limits of the appended claims.

What I therefore claim and desire to secure by Letters Patent is 2- 1. Adivided last comprising a fore part and a heel part, said parts havingcurved contacting joint surfaces therebetween, a

link pivotally connecting said parts, a

spring pressed locking plunger having a rounded head and mounted in oneof said last parts, the other last part having a locking bore alinedwith said head and adapted to receive the same when the last isextended, said bore and locking plunger being disposed within thesurfaces of continuous contact in all positions of the last parts andbeing offset laterally relative to said link.

2. A divided last comprising a fore part and a heel part, said partshaving curved contacting joint surfaces therebetween, a

lilo

link ivotall connectin said last arts at last )arts and bein ofi'setlateral relative b 3 yleldable locking member mounted 111 one of to sandl nk. 10 sald last parts, the other last part having 2!, In testlinonywhereof I afiix my signature 1001mm bore ahned wlth said loelnnp; mem-1n 1'esenee of two Witnesses.

her and adapted to receive the same when GEORGE E. BELCHER. the last isextended, said bore and locking Vitnesses: member being disposed Withinthe surface GEO. A. SHAW,

of continuous contact in all positions of the ARTHUR VVALES.

